DOI: https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2026-6(1)-113-121
Cultural code of Veliky Novgorod: preservation of the authentic historical environment. Expert interview
Sergey Slavinsky
National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Moscow, Russia
ORCID: 0000-0002-6533-2183
Elizaveta Speshilova
Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University, Veliky Novgorod, Russia
ORCID: 0000-0002-7859-3526
ABSTRACT
The expert interview is devoted to discussing the cultural code of Veliky Novgorod as a historic city. Particular attention is paid to the representation of the cultural code in architecture, as well as to the assessment of urban improvement projects and the restoration of cultural heritage sites that were implemented in Novgorod between 2019 and 2025. It is emphasized that, when designing the urban environment, it is necessary to analyze the cultural and historical context of the area, including its location, history, landscape, and existing architectural features. New developments should take into account the “spirit of the place,” not by literally copying historical forms, but by continuing their logic through proportions, rhythm, the plasticity of volumes, and other architectural elements. The interview also examines the relationship between the cultural code and the city’s design code. The principles on which the design code should be based are identified, with the aim of contributing to the preservation of an authentic historic urban environment.
KEYWORDS: city’s cultural code, historical city, architecture, restoration, design code, Veliky Novgorod, urban culture.
Information about the authors
Sergey P. Slavinsky
Cand. Sci. (Architecture), Associate Professor
of the Fundamentals of Architecture
and Artistic Communications Department
National Research Moscow State University
of Civil Engineering
26, Yaroslavskoe Highway, Moscow,
129337, Russian Federation
ORCID: 0000-0002-6533-2183
Scopus AuthorID: 57204463326
e-mail: [email protected]
Elizaveta I. Speshilova
Research Fellow
of the Cultural Studies Department
Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University
41, Bolshaya Sankt-Peterburgskaya St.,
Veliky Novgorod, 173003, Russian Federation
ORCID: 0000-0002-7859-3526
Web of Science ResearcherID: AAH-4757-2019
Scopus AuthorID: 56786229400
e-mail: [email protected]
For citation:
Slavinsky, S. P., & Speshilova, E. I. (2026). Cultural code of Veliky Novgorod: preservation of the authentic historical environment. Expert interview. Urbis et Orbis. Microhistory and Semiotics of the City, 6(1), 113-121. https://doi.org/10.34680/urbis-2026-6(1)-113-121
